Apple released the fourth beta of iOS 18.4 earlier this week, and the new beta seed allows users to turn off a privacy-compromising search feature.
The first iOS 18.4 beta included a new Safari feature that revealed your recent search history whenever you opened a new browser tab and tapped into the search field. This allowed anyone looking over your shoulder or that borrowed your iPhone to view your recent searches. This is a problem when you’re searching for anniversary gifts for your spouse, or are looking for “those kind of photos” of anyone but your spouse.
Apple has fixed the problem as of the fourth beta seed of iOS 18.4. In the Safari section in the Settings app, a “Show Recent Searches” option is now available that can be toggled off or on.
Users who wish to keep the feature enabled can also use the Safari Private Browsing Mode, which doesn’t expose recent searches, no matter whether you have the search history feature turned on or off.
iOS 18.4 is still being beta tested, with Apple aiming for an early April launch date.
